Rinning a DD two stroke in the winter?

[skihor]

Something no one has touched on... Do not use the jakes/retarder on a snowy descent. Also do not use a cruise control in slick conditions. I prefer not to use either even in the rain. Do your self a favor and practice installing the chains in the comfort of your driveway now. Chaining sucks no matter how good/fast you are.
Don

[skihor]

Also... I once parked on a slight incline in icy conditions, set the brake and started walking. The bus just started sliding... use chocks in addition to the park brake. If driving in wet conditions and then the temp changes to below freezing, I "lightly drag" the brakes to dry them out before parking and setting the park/air brake.
Don

[digesterman]

Head for warmer weather BEFORE  the snow 😊

[Stormcloud]

We headed south in the bus during a storm that quickly turned into a blizzard. I had previously installed an air dryer as a preventative measure, and also had the 80,000btu Webasto plumbed for interior heat, plus pre-heating the engine on cold days.
We somehow managed to 'inhale' a bit of moisture which froze up the air system just north of Herried, South Dakota. We spent the night in a heated farm repair business shop (Huber and Son) to thaw out. I added some alcohol to the air system (plus took on some myself!) and we left the next morning. Following that, I added an alcohol kit after the air dryer. Kind of a belt PLUS suspenders thing.
I have grip tires on the drive and tag. Drove on some real crap roads at times, and the weight of the bus on the drives makes a big difference.
I use 40W year round, and a snort of ether only when the engine first starts for the day. If I preheat the engine with the Webasto for about 30-45 minutes even at -30, it's almost at operating temp and will light right off.
Go for it, use common sense and if the roads are not the best, slow down a bit. Better late than never.

[Geoff]

I have a few systems to keep the engine and interior warm in winter travel--

1.  Stopping at a campground with 50 amp service:
    Plug in to 50 amps.
    Plug in the 240v/60 gallon coolant heater.
    Plug in the stand alone 24v Webasto circulating pump.
    OR run the Webasto 45k engine and interior heater.
2.  Stopping with 30 amp service
    (or 120v cord to friendy place):
    Plug into 30 amp/120v service.
    Start Webasto for engine and interior heat.
3.  Stopping with no nothing:
    Run the generator.
    Run the Webasto to heat the interior and engine.

The only problems I have ever had is when the Webasto wants to be a bitch and stops working.

--Geoff
  I should add that my Bendix AD-9 air dryer has a 12v heater with a freeze temperature sensor, so no frozen air lines.

[Ed Hackenbruch]

So far my winter travel has been limited to going from Yuma to Quartzsite for the GM bus rally......haven't hit snow on the trip there and back yet, which is a good thing since i don't own chains!

[AndyG]

A lot of good stuff here.  There is a lot of talk about running, engines, generators, and diesel heaters while you sleep.  Make sure that you have a working carbon monoxide (CO) detector in your coach.  It's more important for you to wake up in the morning than the old Detroit!